The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1887-04-10
NO POsTGFFiCEs THERE.
Congressman "Psivaie" John Allen
Before u Mississippi Jury.
Written for the Appeal.

Written for the Appeal.
Many coed stories are told OF Hon.
John Allen, the idnDy man OF the
House, who represents the First Mig-
sssissippi district, but here is one that
has not Hitherto been published: In
1877 the postmaster at historic Corinth
WAS removed for come cause not nee
eRary here to state, and two promi-
nent Republicans-Msj. W. W. Willis
and Maj. J. l.. Wolf rd-became ap.
plican's for the vacancy. Each made
strenuous efforte to secure the coveted
prjzs, and for period Of about two
weeks every train bore 10 Washington
friends of the applicants who went to
urge the claims OF their respective
chiefs. So strong and 80 even was tho
support of each the Postmaster Gem
eraI Key was sorely distressed how
to act, and in the end left it to the
Republican Senator from Mississippi
B. X, Bruce-to decide, who recon-
mended Wofford, his personal friend
and faithful henchman. The appoint
ment was we'll received by the best
class OF the citiBsns, aud Wofford's
tond bore the signatures Of the most
prominent business firms of the town.
Willis, however, did not accept his
failure with the graceful magnanimity
that characteristics the astute politician,
but on the contrary was extremely
boisterious in his threats to expose
the deceptions that Woford had prac.
ticed in several campaigns, and had
caused to be published in q local
paper, under the signature of q negro
politician, ascurrilous article, severely
rejecting upon the integrity of his
succtssful opponent. Its publication
led to personal encounter, in which
Willis came near losing bis life, hav.
log received three deep Btabs IN the
abdomen. Public sympathy was with
Woford, and long before the trial was
set b3ts we're freely offered, with no
takers, that he would be acquitted, as
no jury could be impaueled that
would convict him. Wofford's coun-
eel was Dol. W. M. IDge, afterwsrd
Speaker OF the Mississippi House Ct
Representatives, man of fine physic,
who possessed Btentorian voice and
whose oraiory was OF the pathetic
kind. 1t was an easy matter for him
to move a jury to tears, and on this
occasion he was unusually graGd in
his beautiful pictorial Of Wohflrd. He
said that Wohord was devoted aud
&c sasCt;1BsSS5 husband, kind and
indulgent father, an enterpiising and
law abiding citizen, faithful and con-
sistent member OF the church, and aa
injured martyr. He was frequently
Interrupted with deaiening cheers,
ard finished amid loud and pro.
longed applause. Mr.. Allen was
the prosecuting attorney. He
doubtless felt that it was
a hopeless case. He quietly reviewed
the whole difficulty and quoted TIE
law to sustain his points, after which
he stepped back pace or two, and as
sumiug his we'll known serious look,
sarCsstically said:
Gentlemen of the jury, while the
distinguished attorney for the defense
was delivering himself OF his beautiful
and touching testimony Of the chRrsc-
ter Of his client, looked around in
the direction of the prisoner to assure
myself that he was there, for no man
has ever died that had such q sublime
eulogy preached over his body as the
prisoner has listened from the lips OF
his hDwery orator. For awhile, gen-
tlemen, l was in serious doubt whether
1t was the prisoner himself or bis
virgin spirit, for earth .is no fit place
for such a divine character as the
prisoner has been pictured to you.
Gentlemen, his attorney lacked only
one thing OF having made him al
angel, and 1 am surprised that he
failed to supply him with pair of
white wings that he might light out
through this roof and soar high aud
far away to the celestial skies, where
the righteous and the holy dwell in
sweet unison, and where there are no
cares, no sorrows, no Gins, no post
officss."
The little, old two story frame court
house swsyed like ship at sea from
the shrek upon shrek of applause
that went up from the large audience.
Sympathy changed in the twinkling
of an eye, and the Jury balloted four
long hours before reaching a verdict
of not guilty, instead OF acquittinR him
without leaving their seats, as was
universally predicted. d.
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